Color Weekend on Grand Mesa: Sept. 29-30 - The Olympics are over, but you can still go for the gold at the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway Annual Color Sunday. There will be plenty of family-friendly activities including camping, fun run, live music, lift rides, and a disc golf tournament, all among the fall colors at Powderhorn Mountain Resort.

Tour of the Moon: October 6 - The Tour of the Moon takes cyclists on a century tour through the ruggedly scenic Colorado National Monument, ending with a "Harvest Moon Celebration" post-ride party and expo. (Start/finish at Two Rivers Convention Center, Grand Junction)

Open Studios Tour: October 20-21 - Artspace promotes Grand Valley artist entrepreneurs and patrons by organizing twice-yearly open studio tours where the public can get a personal view of working artists in their creative spaces. (Grand Junction, Fruita, Palisade)

Rim Rock Marathon: November 10 - This fourth annual race takes runners on a world-class course through Colorado National Monument, one of the most scenic venues in the racing world. (start near east entrance to Colorado National Monument, finish at James M Robb Colorado River State Park in Fruita)

Nestled near 11,000-foot Grand Mesa and the 7,500-foot Book Cliffs, Grand Junction is the largest city in western Colorado. At an altitude of 4,586 feet, warm summers and moderate spring, fall and winter seasons allow for year-round golf, hiking and biking. Boasting more than 275 days of sunshine annually, Grand Junction recently was named one of the eight sunniest cities in the United States by TourismReview.com. Among Grand Junction's spectacular red cliffs and winding canyons are the Grand Mesa, the world's largest flat-topped mountain, the Colorado National Monument, Bookcliff Wild Horse Area, two national scenic byways and five golf courses. Grand Junction lies in the heart of the Colorado-Utah Dinosaur Diamond. The area also is home to Colorado's wine country, with nearly 30 vineyards and wineries.